DUI Advice.

[ultrasuperduckman]

Believe it or not I got very drunk Saturday night down in a small town called Norman. We were at a more sophisticated party than usual and I decided to start drinking as much as possible. Not knowing my limit has always been my main problem.

I decide to leave to meet up with this girl and sure enough I got pulled over. I don't remember much but they took me to jail. As much as I was trying to say to myself, "You're a goodfella now!" and make the situation seem cool, it wasn't at all.

I spent about a day in jail before finally getting bailed out. I missed work but luckily they were really cool about, "No problem man, that happens sometimes." That's good, but my car is in the impound, I'm really trying to get the cash to get that out.

What I'm mainly worried about is my driver's license. I've never had a DUI before so I'm pretty sure that after court they'll take my license away right? If so is there anyway I can cut a deal so I can still drive to work? I really don't want to lose my job. I was hoping someone here has had a similar experience.

I'm feeling really weird about all this. Normally I'd just brag about being "A bad ass" or whatever. But I easily...EASILY, could have killed someone that night. Someone with a family maybe.

I'm gonna' try my best not to drink at all anymore. I think I might be one of those people who always thinks one beer won't hurt and then after that beer all previous resolutions are thrown out the window.

Anyways, yes, so if anyone would mind sharing some experiences in this matter it would be much appreciated and maybe help me get all of this organized.

Thank you.


(This should mean the end of the stupid drunk threads I post sometimes as well.)

 

[Dew k. Mosi]

first DUI's usually get a fine, community service, restricted license or mandatory AA attendance. first offense with no extenuating factors like an accident or a child in the car, you might get lucky and get the minimum. convey to the court that you've learned and you're not a habitual drunk driver and next time sleep it off before you get behind the wheel. Good luck

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Tell them you post on SHH. All charges will be dropped.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

Dew, that's encouraging. Gracias.

Aesop you might be on to something.

 

[POWdER-man]

DUI's are no joking matter. Although I am glad you see the errors of your way and encourage you to drink more responsibility next time (or as you suggest not at all if you can't), I have no sympathy for those who drink and drive. I have lost friends and people I have have known for years. I hope this doesn't result in you losing your license and job since it is your first time drinking and driving. Not sure if this is the first time you have ever done it or just first time being caught. If it is the latter I remove any best wishes as you obviously are only showing remorse b/c you got caught.

Regardless, to feel the impact and consequence of what you have done you should serve some type of punishment such as house arrest, AA meetings, community service (ironic this is considered punishment), driving restrictions, etc.

Otherwise I would suggest what Dew said.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I don't think there is a state in the union that revokes license on first offense sometimes they will suspend your license for a year and require a hefty fine and a bit of community service, but a lot of that depends on where you were pulled over. Was it near a school or daycare? If so you're in deep ****.

What state is Norman in? In West Virginia first DUI is just a fine that can be reduced by voluntary community service.

 

[VampElvis]

In my state by the time you add up all the court costs and such a DUI will cost you a minimum of about $5K. So if your state is anything like mine, you might want to look for a part time job.......

 

[david icke]

I'm gonna' try my best not to drink at all anymore. I think I might be one of those people who always thinks one beer won't hurt and then after that beer all previous resolutions are thrown out the window.

That's the thing, these type of resolutions can easily be made right after something bad happens, but the true test is when Friday night comes around, especially if you have been stressed out all week due to work or whatever is going on in your life.
From reading your posts I would say I had something in common with you in regards to the drinking and enjoying the drunken 'adventures'. It's very hard to give up that aspect of your life.

If you honestly feel you are at the stage where you are out of control maybe it is time to stop.
Because, as you say, if you are the different person after a couple who cannot follow a pre-determined limit, and crossing that limit causes you problems, you could get yourself into trouble.
Be realistic though, don't beat yourself up if you end up having a few drinks after vowing never to again, it's hard to quit.

Sorry to go on a bit, but just watch yourself, I was a habitual alcoholic drinker myself up until last year when I quit completely. I never thought to learn to drive a car as I always thought it would get in the way of my drinking, but I found plenty of other ways to get myself into trouble when drunk.
Beleive it or not you can still do all the same things without it, you may even end up enjoying yourself a whole lot more. Good luck.

edit: Sorry to do a Columbo, but one last thing... if you feel like you can't completely quit yet don't worry, maybe you're not ready. Just try your darndnest to scale it down a bit, avoid harder drinks like spirits etc.
And try not to leave yourself open to temptation, eg don't plan on driving home the next day if you're going out for a session, the drunk you might have other plans.
also, don't let any of your drunk friends ebcourage you to drink anymore than you want to, it's easily done.

 

[terry78]

Glad to see you're not one of these little idiots that brush off the DUI like it's a parking ticket and ****. I see this all the time.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

What state is Norman in? In West Virginia first DUI is just a fine that can be reduced by voluntary community service.

I don't think it was near a school or anything. I can't really remember. Norman is in Oklahoma.

In my state by the time you add up all the court costs and such a DUI will cost you a minimum of about $5K. So if your state is anything like mine, you might want to look for a part time job.......

I haven't gone to court yet, but trying to get my car out of the impound alone is causing me grey hairs.

That's the thing, these type of resolutions can easily be made right after something bad happens, but the true test is when Friday night comes around, especially if you have been stressed out all week due to work or whatever is going on in your life.
here you are out of control maybe it is time to stop...

Yeah, I guess this weekend will be the real test.

/thanks @ everyone

 

[Majic Walrus]

If you are convicted of DUI with a BAC more than .08%, the penalties are as follows:

First offense

• A misdemeanor

• Jail time of not less than 10 days and not more than one year

• Fine of not more than $1,000

Good luck.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

Holy ****. I can go back to jail?

Now I'm freakin' a little bit.

Thanks though Majic.

 

[C. Lee]

Your insurance will go up....unless of course besides being a drunk driver you are one of those inconsiderate folks that drive without insurance.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Holy ****. I can go back to jail?

Now I'm freakin' a little bit.

Thanks though Majic.

No problem man. I doubt you'll go to jail on a first offense.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

Well I'd deserve it.

This was the first time I've been in trouble and was able to say, "Man I belong in here."

I guess I just never got how incredibly dangerous it really is to drive wasted. Not even so much myself but other people. I kept thinking how bad it sucked to wake up sober and find yourself in jail, but couldn't even imagine waking up sober in jail only to find out that I'd killed someone or something.



(Though I did want to crave Brooks Was Here on my cell wall)

 

[amazingfantasy15]

The fact that you blacked out driving and getting arrested is really cause for some concern, means you're BAC had to be pretty high and I'm sure that plays a part. That's why I drink in the city where cabs are plentyfull, screw trying to drive home drunk.

 

[The Guard]

Sounds to me like you're lucky you got arrested. You may well not have been here otherwise. Regardless of what you did, I'm glad you're okay. That's a dangerous situation to put yourself in.

Depending on the state, they'll likely suspend license for a year or so, or restrict your driving to and from work, or a combination of these things. Expect to go through several court proceedings on a restricted driving permission until they start the "suspense". And they will fine you heavily. And yes, your insurance will skyrocket.

I'd say it's time to do some serious soul searching about your drinking.

 

[enterthemadness]

Not going to sugar coat this, but I think you're a dumb ass for driving while drunk.

But you can learn from this and no one got hurt.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

I'm very lucky I got arrested. I agree 110%. This all sucks still, but I am gratefull about that still. And I am a dumb ass.

The insurance sucks, I just got in lowered. But you live, you learn. Thanks guys. I finally got my car out of the car jail, court tomorrow. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

 

[The Guard]

Tomorrow they'll tell you to come back again in a couple months, and so on and so forth.

 

[ultrasuperduckman]

Yeah that's what I figured. Just as long as I still get to keep driving to work I'll consider myself a lucky kid.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

When they say "State your name" say "I AM BATMAN!!!" and laugh maniacally.

 

[chaseter]

I have been to jail, it was fun.

As for the DUI'er...I have no sympathy for you and you deserve whatever you get. Thank God that you didn't kill anybody or yourself. I hate people that drink and drive. Hope things work out for the best but I don't feel sad.

 

[bullets]

Well I hope this is the last time you drink and drive. Anyone that goes out there doing this is very lucky if they dont get killed or hurt someone else. i know this because I've driven home a few times where I was blanked out. Not something I'm proud of and I was almost killed by a drunk driver on two different occasions.

The first time messed my mother's back up for the rest of her life. The other time two girls were in the next lane and they were hit head on and i was about to take the exit but some drunk came down it going the wrong direction. Saw one girl die and the other was thrown from the vehicle but she survived with broken legs. Sure enough the driver was ok.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

I know my response before was a bit flippant. That doesn't mean I think it's ok to drink and drive. My best friend, who in another life could have been my brother, was killed by a drunk driver.